The Debates: What have they showed?

As I watched the political debates unfold on ITV and BBC, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment. The ITV debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer was particularly frustrating. The format, with its stringent time limits, stifled any meaningful exploration of the leaders’ opinions. Keir Starmer’s performance was underwhelming; he lacked the robustness expected of a leader and failed to capitalise on the platform provided. In contrast, Rishi Sunak demonstrated his experience, confidently presenting his plan to challenge Labour’s proposed £2000 per household tax. While debatable, this showcased his preparedness for the debate.

The ITV debate overall showed that Starmer certainly does not enjoy that format. He was too polite, almost as if he were in a courtroom awaiting his turn to present evidence, a turn that would never come. He needed to be more ruthless but only began to interrupt near the end of the debate. Sunak was the clear winner, landing some hefty blows. Besides the £2000 household tax issue, he also challenged Starmer on the NHS, asking what he would do differently regarding the junior doctor strikes, to which Starmer had no response.

I feel Sunak did win that debate, and though polls had it at 51/49 to Sunak, I believe it was much higher, with Starmer limping back to the swing rooms.